Hearing Tests for Everyone Over 50 Years Old

Hearing Tests for Everyone Over 50 Years Old Called for by Overseas Expert

Hearing tests for every New Zealander aged over 50 are being recommended as a way of dealing with the major public health issue and cost to society of hearing loss.

American expert, Head of the UCLA Audiology Clinic and Past President of the American Academy of Audiology, Professor Alison Grimes has made the call during the annual conference of the country’s audiologists.

“Hearing impairment is a significant public health issue. A review of research and literature shows there are major consequences when people do not attend to their hearing loss.” says Professor Grimes. “They have a lower quality of life, their cognitive capacity decreases and they experience social isolation and depression. Good hearing is known to improve memory and cognitive function - reducing many of impacts of ageing.

“There is significant evidence that seniors who are hearing impaired need more supportive care. The World Health Organisation identifies untreated hearing loss as a major public health issue because of the economic costs resulting from reduced ability to work and the social impact on families and relationships.”

“People want to keep living full, active, vital lives from their 50s onwards. Ignoring and not treating hearing loss will ensure they don’t

“I strongly believe that introducing hearing tests for people aged 50plus as part of standard disease prevention and wellness checks is crucial to helping help turn around the public health issue hearing loss is becoming,” says Dr Grimes.

The New Zealand Audiological Society and Oticon New Zealand, sponsor of Alison Grimes visit to New Zealand, are backing the call for hearing tests for everyone over 50 years old.

“Hearing loss is a major public health issue that will increasingly impact on our society and economy as the population ages. People must be encouraged and financially supported to have their hearing checked and their hearing loss treated,” says Lesley Hindmarsh, President of the New Zealand Audiological Society.

“We have prevention and screening and testing programmes for other public health issues and we know that quality of life improves when they do something about their hearing loss.”

“Figures show that it can take people between 7 to 10 years to do something about their hearing once they know they have an issue,” says Karen Pullar, General Manager of Oticon New Zealand. “We need remove the stigma associated with getting hearing checked and fixed if we are to help people age well and life full active lives as the get older.”

Overseas and local experts are presenting to the annual New Zealand Audiology Society Conference which is being held at the Blenheim Convention Centre, which ends Saturday 3 July.

ENDS

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